Planning

I've been unemployed since July 2026, and it's been a tough journey. I interviewed for a company I was really excited about, but the HR has been dragging their feet on providing a final response. It's been over two months now, and every time I check in, I get the same vague answer: "I will let you know." I'm starting to lose hope and accept that it might be a no. Moving on from that has been challenging, but I'm managing to cope better now. In the meantime, I interviewed with a start-up that is ready to hire me. However, the role they are offering isn't what I wanted at all, and I've never worked in that capacity before. They mentioned that since it's a start-up, there are multiple roles available, and I could switch to something more suited to my skills as projects come in. One downside is that I would be in training for three months, during which my salary would be lower than what I was previously earning, but they promised a revision after that period. Additionally, the location is quite far from my home—about 1.5 hours away with heavy traffic. Initially, I was leaning towards declining the offer, but I've been advised by others not to let a significant gap appear in my employment history. Now I'm feeling conflicted and unsure about what to do. I've been applying for jobs non-stop, and these two are the only ones that have responded. I could really use some fresh perspectives on this situation.

I'm currently in a tough situation with my part-time job, which I started in July. I only work 4 hours a week, and I've recently hit a snag. For the past three weeks, I haven't had any work or communication from my employer about the additional hours they promised me before I went away in early August. I've been trying to reach out, but it feels like I'm always the one chasing for updates. I'm also on universal credit, so I'm worried about what will happen if I quit this job since it might affect my benefits. I'm job hunting for more hours, but I'm unsure about how the notice period works if I find something else. I tried contacting ACAS for advice, but their phone lines were too busy, and I was directed to their website. I'm feeling stuck in this cycle of uncertainty.

Today, I learned that TScan has laid off 75% of its workforce as part of a strategic shift to prioritize their solid tumor program. This news is disheartening, especially for those of us who were dedicated to the company's mission and projects. I’m currently assessing my options and considering my next steps in the job search.

I recently started a new job with better pay than my previous position, but I'm really struggling with the work environment. My manager is quite mean and seems to bully me, which has made my experience unbearable. Just the other day, I asked for a day off, and he flatly refused, leaving me feeling so upset that I almost cried in the bathroom. I dread going to work every single day and have thought about quitting on the spot. The catch is, I don't have another job lined up, although I'm actively applying and interviewing. I also have a 15-day trip planned for October, which makes me wonder if I should just stick it out for now, take the paid leave, and continue my job search. However, I'm worried that if I land interviews, needing time off could become a problem. I'm really torn about whether to stay for the paycheck or prioritize my mental health and leave. I could use some straightforward advice because I'm really overthinking this situation.

I'm currently trying to break into the workforce after completing my studies in technical writing. My goal is to land a position as an office assistant, receptionist, or tech writer, but I've been facing significant challenges in my job search. The job market in my area is competitive, and most listings require years of experience that I simply don't have yet. I'm at a point where I'm considering taking any job just to earn some income, but I'm concerned about how my previous employment history might reflect on my applications. Many local companies ask for a detailed list of past jobs, and I'm worried that if they see roles that aren't directly related to my field, they might disqualify me right away. I’ve heard that if I can articulate the skills I gained from those jobs and how they apply to the positions I'm seeking, it could work in my favor. However, the fear of being overlooked because of my lack of relevant experience is really holding me back.

I’ve definitely postponed a lot of my plans due to the uncertainty around potential layoffs at my job. I was considering buying a new car and even thought about starting a family, but those plans are on hold now. The last vacation I took was a stressful trip halfway across the world for my parent's emergency surgery, which really put things into perspective. Right now, it feels like I’m just trying to survive day-to-day. On the bright side, I’ve managed to pay off my student loans and I have my driver’s license, which is a relief given how expensive it is to get one where I live. But overall, it just sucks to have to put everything on pause.

I recently experienced a mass layoff at my job with an American multinational company. I was laid off right after returning from a protected medical leave due to a disability, which has left me wondering about my severance package. I'm considering whether there's any room for negotiation, especially if I involve a lawyer. I've heard mixed experiences from others; one person mentioned they successfully negotiated repatriation without a lawyer, just by appealing to decency. I'm curious if anyone else has had success in negotiating severance in similar situations.

I recently had an interview for a role that I've been eagerly waiting for, and the anticipation is driving me a bit crazy. I’m a 26-year-old female who quit my previous job seven months ago because it was just awful. Three months ago, a position opened up at a company I truly admire in a city I love, and I was one of the first to apply. After a long wait and multiple follow-ups, I finally got the chance to interview a few days ago. The interview felt okay, but I'm struggling to interpret how it went. The interviewer started off saying they wanted it to be casual, which made me feel like I might have over-prepared for a more formal discussion. We had a nice chat, but I can't shake the feeling that I didn't fully showcase my experience. At the end, the interviewer said it was genuinely nice to speak with me, and while I want to believe that was sincere, I also worry it sounded like a polite way to say I might not be the right fit—like a soft breakup. Now, I'm stuck in this waiting game, and it's really affecting my sleep. I keep overthinking everything and replaying our conversation in my head. This was my strongest lead, and I’m praying I get good news. They mentioned I should hear back in about a week, but until then, I’m applying to other positions and trying to stay active by going on walks, as friends have suggested. Any advice on how to cope with this waiting period would be greatly appreciated.

I recently started a new job as a parts staff at a car dealership, but I'm already feeling overwhelmed and unhappy just three days in. I'm 28 years old, have a degree in IT, and my work experience has been a mix of different roles. My ultimate goal is to secure a position in a government office, but I've realized that getting in often requires connections, which I don't have. Currently, I'm living alone in a small apartment and my financial situation is tight, so I took this job out of desperation. The pay is only about $220 for 15 days of work, which is frustrating, especially since government jobs here in the Philippines pay around $120 more and offer two days off compared to the one day off I get here. I'm starting to question what I really want to do with my life. I’ve been thinking about starting a YouTube channel focused on gym, motorcycles, and gaming, as I believe there's a good audience for that content here. However, I’m not sure how to begin, especially since I don’t have a decent camera for vlogging, although I do have a mid-tier gaming PC to work with. I feel stuck in this cycle of just surviving rather than truly living. The loss of my mom last year has left me feeling lost and without direction. I just want to find happiness and a way to make money doing something I love, rather than being trapped in a job that makes me miserable.

Today, I made a significant decision regarding my career. After 1.5 years at my current job, which I initially thought was my dream role, I accepted an offer to return to my previous employer. I left my last position for this one, taking a substantial pay cut and sacrificing my work-life balance, but I believed it would be worth it. Over the past year and a half, I've grown tremendously, working closely with the C-suite and receiving consistent praise for my contributions. I genuinely love my colleagues and the work we do. However, the toll on my mental health has been severe. My work hours are long, often stretching into weekends, and I find myself missing precious time with my fiancé. The constant pressure to be available, even during my time off, has made it increasingly difficult to manage my personal life. With plans to start a family soon, the stress of my current role combined with rising living costs has led me to reconsider my situation. About two and a half months ago, my old employer reached out with an enticing offer to return, including a significant raise and a sign-on bonus. After thoughtful discussions, I decided to take the leap and will officially transition back in two months. This decision feels life-changing, but I’m grappling with guilt about leaving my current team during the busiest season. I worry about the impact on my colleagues and feel bad for leaving so soon after joining. As I approach the date to give my notice, I find myself overwhelmed with emotions, often crying at home about the decision. I know deep down that prioritizing my well-being and future family is essential, but the guilt is hard to shake off. I’m seeking advice on how to cope with these feelings and navigate this transition with grace.

I'm feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I graduated with a degree in health science and social behavioral science, and I'm eager to start working in a hospital, ideally as a transporter. However, I'm finding it nearly impossible to get hired because I lack experience. It's disheartening to see that many employers are looking for candidates with prior experience, which leaves new graduates like me in a tough spot. I've considered internships and volunteering, but it seems like a Catch 22 situation where you need experience to get experience. I'm planning to apply for a program next year that might help, but in the meantime, I wish there were more opportunities for fresh graduates to prove themselves.

I recently applied for an entry-level position at a local nonprofit and received a request that left me feeling overwhelmed. After applying a while back, I was contacted three weeks ago for some preliminary questions about my relocation plans. Today, I got an email scheduling a two-hour interview with several members of their leadership team. I was taken aback to find out that I need to provide not only my driver's license and details of my volunteer positions from the past seven years but also ten references—five personal and five professional. As someone early in my career with about three years of relevant experience, I don't have a large pool of professional references to draw from, aside from a few university professors and my current supervisor. This feels excessive, especially since I haven't even had a phone interview yet. I'm starting to question whether this is a new standard in job interviews or if this particular nonprofit is just out of touch with hiring norms. I'm considering my options, including possibly withdrawing my application if this is indicative of their organizational culture.

I was recently laid off and now I have 18 days left in my grace period. I'm planning to apply for a B2 Change of Status (COS) and want to make sure I complete all the interviews I currently have lined up. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through a similar situation recently. Did you handle your B1/B2 application on your own, or did you seek help from an attorney? If you have any templates for the COS application, I would really appreciate it. Also, if there are any additional details I should keep in mind during this process, please let me know.

I was recently outsourced from my role as a software developer at a mid-sized tech company. The whole experience felt incredibly unjust and left me frustrated. Not only did I lose my job, but I also had to train the offshore team that was taking over my responsibilities. It felt like I was handing over my work to people who would be paid significantly less, which seemed unfair to both me and the company. I've been following the political landscape around outsourcing, and I learned that there are currently two bills in the Senate aimed at addressing this issue. One, proposed by Bernie Moreno, seeks to eliminate IRS tax breaks for outsourcing and impose a 25% tax on it, while also creating a workforce fund. The other bill from Sheldon Whitehouse aims to mostly eliminate those tax breaks. I believe it's crucial for those of us affected by outsourcing to make our voices heard. I've started calling my Senator and House representative to express my concerns and urge them to support these bills. It seems like the more people who speak up, the more likely Congress will take action. I'm hoping that by rallying support, we can bring attention to the negative impacts of outsourcing on workers like myself.

I recently graduated from a Tier 1 NIT, and while I’ve accomplished some impressive things, I’m feeling lost in my job search. I’m 23-27 years old, studying in the Circuital branch, and I consider myself a top-tier programmer at the fresher level in India. I’ve contributed to a terminal emulator project with over 30k stars, and I was selected for a competitive open-source program where only 1% of applicants are chosen. I have around 5 years of coding experience and am familiar with a wide range of technologies including C, C++, Go, Rust, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Svelte, and more. Despite my skills, my CGPA is below 7, which has severely limited my on-campus job opportunities. I struggled with memorizing circuits and exam content, which affected my grades, but I’ve always focused on practical coding and software development. Now, I’m in a tough spot as my family income has dropped significantly, and I need a job urgently. I’m seeking any opportunities where I can showcase my skills in frontend and backend development, DevOps, and database management. If anyone can help me get my foot in the door, I’d be incredibly grateful.

I received two job offers last Friday and had to make a tough decision. Job A was with a small management company offering a hybrid role at $50k with 2 weeks of PTO. Job B was with a small nonprofit, offering a hybrid role at $42k with only 1 week of PTO. I chose Job A because it seemed better on paper and I attempted to negotiate for more PTO since I have two trips planned next year. However, after the long weekend, they didn't respond to my negotiation request, leaving me in limbo. Meanwhile, I still have Job B as a backup, which I know can be flexible with my time off, even though the salary and PTO are not ideal, especially in the nonprofit sector. Additionally, there's a potential Job C that I interviewed for over a week ago. They mentioned needing to finish another round of interviews before making a decision, but now they want me to do a final interview with the chief of staff. This role could be part-time to full-time, pays similarly to Job B, and is fully remote, which I would love. I'm at a crossroads: should I wait for the interview with Job C on Friday, or should I secure Job B to avoid losing out on a guaranteed position? I'm not desperate for a job, as my job search has been going well, but I also don't want to turn my back on an offer that is already on the table.

I have my first job interview in 6 years tomorrow. I'm a 32-year-old female currently working in a post-processing cannabis lab, and I'm interviewing for a laboratory position at an insurance company. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as this is my first video interview in a long time. If anyone has any words of encouragement or tips, I would really appreciate it!

I was laid off from my dream job a little over a year ago, and it's been a tough journey since then. The last few months leading up to my layoff were really challenging, and now, six months into my job search, I’m feeling pretty disheartened. I’ve dedicated myself to applying for positions in arts nonprofit fundraising, which is a competitive field with limited opportunities. Despite applying to over 25 jobs and going through three multi-stage interviews, I haven’t received any offers. I currently have a job, but I can’t shake the feeling of loss for what I had. My last round of interviews had me convinced I was a strong candidate, but it didn’t pan out. I’ve reached out to my network, even getting referrals from former coworkers, but I still face rejection. To make things worse, my current supervisor was laid off during my job search, which has added to my anxiety about job security. I’m really struggling to stay motivated after so many rejections. I’m looking for advice on how to refocus and regain my drive. If anyone has had similar experiences and found ways to overcome them, I would love to hear your success stories.

I was laid off in March 2025 from my role as an Application Engineer, where I supported engineered-to-order fire pump systems. Despite having a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and about 3 years of experience, getting back into the engineering field has proven to be a bigger challenge than I anticipated. Since the layoff, I've been proactive in building my skills by earning my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Professional Scrum Master certification, completing training in Primavera P6, and enhancing my knowledge in project management and data analysis. Currently, I’m working as a City Carrier Assistant for USPS, which I appreciate for the income, but my goal remains to return to engineering or a role that utilizes my engineering and project experience. I've been applying for various positions like Project Engineer, Application Engineer, and Project Controls Analyst, but I'm starting to wonder if I need to rethink my job search strategy. I would love to hear from engineers, recruiters, or hiring managers who have faced similar situations: what steps would you recommend I take next?

I left my previous job at Company A about six months ago for what I thought was a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poor fit for me. While I gained some valuable skills and insights during that time, I’ve come to realize how much I appreciated my old team and the work environment. Now, I’m really eager to return to my old role. I’m considering reaching out to my former boss, whom I left on good terms, to see if there might be any openings in the near future. I have her cell number, and I’m thinking of sending her a text. My initial thought was to say something like, "Hi [Boss's Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been really missing Company A and would love to come back to the team. If any positions open up, I would appreciate it if you could keep me in mind. I wouldn’t even need training! Thank you." I’m unsure whether I should mention that my new job isn’t a good fit, or if I should wait for her to ask about it. I’ve read that texting is generally acceptable, especially since I don’t have her work email anymore, and I would have to ask an old colleague for it. I’m a bit anxious about overthinking this, but I really want to make the right impression and hopefully rejoin the team.